05. 09. 2006

ACTIVE MEASURES IN PREVENTING MEDIA INTIMIDATION, NOT ONLY DECLARATIVE DECRY

Nocturnal attacks on journalists and guests of the television shows diametrically oppose the proclaimed goals of the media policy in the country and principles of media independence. Reaction of the Serbian Government is a step heading in good direction, however, ANEM urges the authorities to take more active measures, governed by the full sense of importance of the freedoms of expression and media for the democratic processes in the society. ANEM is also concerned with the fact that, although the attack occurred after the show, where one of the guests was also the member of the Broadcast Agency Council, a regulatory body for broadcasting in Serbia, there was no reaction coming from the Agency. ANEM urges the appropriate authorities to take active approach to affirmation of freedom of expression, which would not only express the mere messages of regret after such incidents occur, but rather constantly strive to maintain safe working conditions for the media and journalists, and to create environment in which the pluralism of thought and expression is the core of democratic society. Sasa Mirkovic, ANEM Chairman